I am recalling you to the statements made yesterday by President Goodluck Jonathan on freedom of information in Nigeria. He has endorsed Freedom of Information (FoI) Bill within 24 hours of its receipt. Will it actually usher in transformation and transparency in Nigeria?
Read the statements below and post your remarks.
QuoteFreedom of Information: Ushering in an Era of Transformation and Transparency
On the 23rd of May, I made a statement on this page to the effect that since transparency in the 2011 elections had brought about a reduction of election disputes by 75%, I would ensure that disputes in all aspects of our national life are minimised by ensuring transparency in all governmental processes.
I meant what I said and to give effects to my words, I signed the Freedom of Information Bill within 24 hours of its receipt by the Presidency from the National Assembly on the 27th of May.
I am fully committed to removing the veil that has for long covered the activities of government. As I told you several times on this page but particularly on the 12th of May, 2011, it is the desire of this administration to build trust between the government and the led and every action I take will be in fulfilment of that commitment because just as I said in my inaugural address, "you have trusted me with your mandate and (by the grace of God) I will never NEVER let you down"
So now the Freedom of Information Bill has become the FOI Act, I expect Nigerians to take advantage of it.
In the eighties we heard of Glasnost (Openness) and Perestroika (Restructuring) from Chairman Gorbachev and as a result the Berlin Wall came down. Today in Nigeria, there is a breath of Fresh Air that has ushered in an era of Transformation and Transparency and the walls of Corruption will be brought down not just by the government but by you the good people of Nigeria because by my act of signing this bill into law, 150 million pairs of eyes have been opened to see transparently what was hitherto opaque and the result surely must be an improvement in the art of leadership and followership throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria.
- GEJ
Freedom of Information: Ushering in an Era of Transformation and Transparency | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/notes/goodluck-jonathan/freedom-of-information-ushering-in-an-era-of-transformation-and-transparency/224723150888661)